Playing it Safe in the Sun.

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I am reeeeeeeeally excited to head to the beach for our annual family trip in a few weeks. I've been a little bit fixated on getting in the sun, stretching out in a canvas-backed chair and facing that glorious Gulf of Mexico. Letting all my cares wash into the the waves and breathing in that purifying sea salt air. If you ask me, THAT'S the American dream :)

I've started stocking up on all the necessary gear and sun products to keep my family protected in the sun this summer. These aren't only beach-related products, they will work when you're exercising, gardening, playing sports or playing outside at the park. These are just the essentials that I keep in a gallon-sized ziplock and throw into my beach bag or purse whenever we are going to be outside in the sun. When things heat up in Georgia, there's no time for messing around. Summers here can be brutal without the right gear.

These are my tried-and-true products for fun in the sun. Some are new to me this year, and some have been family staples for years.

For Skin:

  • As for sunscreen, I have loved using The Honest Company sunscreen (the Mineral Sunscreen, the Continuous Spray and the Sunscreen Stick) for babies and kids especially. And after doing a lot of research about chemical versus mineral ingredients, this year I'll be using Garden Goddess. More about sunscreen ingredients here.
     
  • Don't forget about bug spray! Again, I'm a sucker for The Honest Company Bug Spray. I've been coating it on since I've been gardening lately, and it smells like essential oils. Which is better than smelling like plain old deet.
     
  • As a daily moisturizer, I've been using Juice Beauty Tinted CC Cream for a few months now, and I am loving it. It provides just the right amount of coverage so that you can totally get away without wearing makeup for those mom-clothes, mom-hair kind of days. Which I have a LOT.
     
  • For a little extra boost, I've been using The Honest Company Elevated Hydration Mist. They sent it to me in one of my bundles as a little Mother's Day gift (thank you!) and it's actually a really nice pick-me-up to spritz on when I hit that 3pm slump. Think of it like a green smoothie for your skin.

For Hair:

For Lips:

  • I like to keep it simple with an Eos balm most days (this mega pack is my weakness), but when I get in the sun I really like to coat on Kiss My Face Sport Balm. It seems to withstand the elements a little better than your average balm.

And there you have it! All the products that I keep up my sleeve (or actually, in my beach bag) for goofing off in the sun. I want to mention that, obviously, the best protection from the sun's harmful rays is clothing, and I make sure to keep myself and my family in a hat and sun-protective clothing when we are outside.

I hope you are gearing up for at least one getaway in the sunshine this summer! If you have plans, where are you heading off to this season? Any products that you love to add to this list? I'd love to hear from you!

Every Date Should Be Made of Clothes Like These.

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Red Close Up Look Away Laughter PS.jpg

Look 1 - Banana Republic Floral Vee Dress (c/o) in Candy Teal, Banana Republic Nude Wedges (past season, similar here and here), assorted bangles, including Keani Found You Cuff in Rose Gold

Look 2 - Banana Republic Sleeveless Embroidered Bib Top (c/o) in Gold, Free People Rolled Crop Skinny Jean in Ella Wash, BCBG Heels (past season, similar here and here), Banana Republic Colorblock Clutch (past season, similar here and here), Anthropologie Glimpse Hoops, Nails are painted in Watermelon by Essie. Photos by the dreamy Stevie Hale.

You better believe that date night is sacred around here.

Before the days of a baby and a mortgage, date night happened easily and often. It was so easy to throw on a colorful top and my snazziest heels, toss a Nars lipstick in a clutch and enjoy wandering the city with my best friend. Date night was all wine, trying new restaurants, talking about dreams and making travel plans. When we lived in Atlanta, it was jazz at Churchill Grounds and dessert at Cafe Intermezzo. When we lived in Boston, it was dinner at Grafton Street and drinks at Plough and Stars. When we lived in New York City, it was making our way through every restaurant recommendation we received, which was a lot, believe me. We pretty much never stopped eating when we lived on the Upper West Side (thank goodness for all that walking!) Nowadays, with family priorities and increased career responsibilities and, you know, mowing the lawn, date night takes a little more intention and planning than it used to. But you know what hasn't changed? The thrill of getting dressed up, experimenting with a bold lipstick or messy updo and letting all that suburban responsibility go for an evening. Holding the hand of my best friend, grabbing a bite to eat and making those dreams happen. We might be getting a bit older, but the mystique of date night is actually growing sweeter with time. The added need for intention is actually making me more of a romantic these days.

When Banana Republic sent over these clothes, I knew they had hot date written all over them. I had so much fun getting dolled up and out of the house in this BR Floral Vee Dress and Embroidered Bib Top. I love how the dress moves and practically dances on its own, and I didn't even mean to pair it with an old pair of Banana wedges that I had in my closet, but they were just the best shoes with the dress, so there you go! I love the clever, elegant stitching and how the supple silk brushes against my skin (while I twirled around like a little girl - seriously, the feeling this dress gave me was that good.) The Bib Top is rich with gold pigment, which I probably wouldn't have chosen for my skin tone (because I fear turning yellow, it's a Italian girl thing), but I actually love it on, especially paired with this bold fuchsia lip color and clutch. These clothes just make me feel ladylike and adventurous, all at once. Just the kind of garments that elevate an occasion from "dinner" to "date" :)

I hope whatever stage you're in, wherever you live, whatever your responsibilities are, you take a moment away from all that and plan something intentionally special for your next date night. After all, there's no time like the present to grab that hand of your love and make all the plans you can. Over wine. And dessert. And maybe a cheese plate, too. Why are you waiting for a special occasion to get dressed up, friend? Date night is for dresses and heels and lipstick!

What are your go-to date night looks? I'd love to hear in the comments!

Disclaimer: Thanks to Banana Republic for sponsoring this post and providing free product.. All opinions expressed are my own.

Happy Birthday, Stevie!!!

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You are so wonderful! And so worthy of celebrating.

You are a gift to our family and truly the person I most admire. You live your life, both the big and small circumstances, with consistent integrity, optimism and belief. You've brought my life an overwhelming series of joy and love. And our little boy is a reflection of you, both literally (!!!) and in his thoughtful, energetic spirit of strength. You are a rock. You are funny. You are easy to be with. I love you and am so happy to celebrate another year of STEVIE!!! Happy Birthday, my love! xox

40 Wonderful Things About You.

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Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sometimes I forget that I am wonderful.

Sometimes I get busy and overwhelmed, trying to strike the unicorn balance of working and being a good mom & wife, and I easily fall prey to the lies of the world: You are not enough. And I know that it's not true, but when exhaustion intersects with circumstantial emotion, all bets are off. I usually cope with said feelings by binging on Netflix with a side of wine/ice cream/kettle corn.

Do you know that you're wonderful? If you are a living, breathing being, you are a wonder. And I want you to know that you are wonderful.

Recently I was reminded of a more restorative way to rejuvenate (than my Netflix addiction), one that I used to practice years ago and made such an immensely positive impact on me. I learned about speaking aloud positive declarations while I was in ministry school from a guest speaker, Steve Backlund. He supplied my class with a list of declarations that were scriptures from the bible. I took those scriptures and used them, but I also wrote some declarations of my own. I used to wake up and declare the scriptures and my personal declarations about my day, before the day even got started. I would usually do it in the morning when I was fixing my hair and putting on make up. The declarations were taped to my bathroom mirror, so there was no way to miss it, and I would speak each one aloud. At first it felt a little goofy, but the more I did it, the more I believed what I was saying. I want to share with you today, because I am back at this practice again and it feels so, so SO good, and I want to invite you to join me. If you need a little boost. I'm not saying you do. Here are the scriptures that I used, and here are my 40 personally-written declarations:

1. I am enough.
2. I am lovable.
3. I am a beautiful person.
4. I light up the world with my gifts.
5. The world is a gift from God and I have a meaningful place in it.
6. I am worthy.
7. Today will be a great day.
8. I cannot satisfy all of my needs, but I am responsible to see them satisfied.
9. I am enormously blessed.
10. I am capable.
11. I am moving forward.
12. It's okay to change my mind.
13. I make great decisions.
14. I don't need other people's approval.
15. I am proud of myself.
16. I make a difference in the world.
17. I am a great wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend.
18. I choose to forgive those who have hurt me.
19. My body works perfectly.
20. I have a good sense of humor about the circumstances of my life.
21. I am a selfless listener.
22. I have nothing to be afraid of.
23. I am strong and healthy.
24. I am capable.
25. I am immensely loved.
26. I am a child of God.
27. I am flexible.
28. The world is a better place because I am in it.
29. I am going to make the best out of today.
30. Nothing will stop me.
31. I am consistent and adventurous.
31. I will take time to be kind to others.
32. I am an encourager to everyone around me.
33. I have every reason to be bold.
34. I am good at managing my money, my time, my talent and my resources.
35. I walk in peace.
36. I have promise.
37. I will find opportunities to be radically generous today.
38. I am cared for.
39. I have good things to say.
40. I have a voice.

Have you ever tried this type of practice? What are some declarations that you would add to this list? I would love to hear from you!

The Motherload.

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I woke up on Mother's Day with a bad attitude.

I just had a bad attitude. Just because. I don't really, actually know why. Well I do, but it was like a million little mundane things that were making me crazed. Nothing of real substance. And I just about chewed Stevie's head off before I even rose from the bed, and as soon as the flurry of emotional words escaped my lips, I wished I could scoop them out of the air and cup them back into my mouth, swallowing their poisonous power.

But I couldn't.

That's the thing about words - they are absolutely forever. I have learned to bite my tongue over the years, holding back my venom when it won't serve a positive purpose (because really, when does venom serve a positive purpose??) Sometimes I fall short, though, and resort to my childhood, childish ways. I have quite a knack for hurting with my words. I'm good at it. And I hate that I'm good at it.

Stevie and I reconciled, dealt with the reasons why I was feeling frustrated about, you know, everything, but my outburst had me thinking the rest of the day about my immature behavior.

Happy Mother's Day to me. Womp womp.

Being a mom has illuminated so many truths. But this thing of attitude affecting action - it's something that I watch my son emulate every day. My words are so powerful in his little life. And based on what I say, and therefore do, is exactly what that little guy will say and do. For example, when he burps, he says, "Excuse you!", because he's heard me say it to him so often. He doesn't say, "Excuse me", he says "excuse you". Because that's what he heard me say. It's kind of funny, but it's also really interesting. My words remain with him - the big and the very small.

Being Everett's mom (and Stevie's wife!) has taught me so much about the flaws in my character, the places where I am below measure in grace, patience, and selflessness. But days like Mother's Day really puts it in perspective for me - it raises the questions. What am I building in my family? What kind of mother do I want to be remembered as? One with a sharp, critical tongue? Or one with a calm, generous, listening heart. ( <-- that one.) One who doesn't jump to conclusions. One who loves loves loves and then loves some more. And then even more.

And then MORE.

My little boy is getting unbelievably big. He is smothered by my love, but I wonder what else he is soaking up by spending time with me. Those little behaviors that I don't realize I say or do, that he is keenly aware of and emulating day by day. Because even though he looks like a little Stevie Mini-Me (I know, I know), he actually talks and acts a lot like me. I hope that I'm doing a good job with him, helping mold him into the best version of himself. (This isn't a self-deprecating thing, I know he is learning positive things from me.) But what I mean is the little things, the ones that could slip through the cracks in case I catch them and fix them. I hope that next Mother's Day, I can say with some confidence that I've grown up a little bit and learned to keep my cool and extend my heart a bit more kindly. To all the boys in my life. It's such an honor to be Everett's mom. I am the luckiest.

I hope your Mother's Day was restful and fun and full of love and celebration. Ours was wonderful (after my wrong side of the bed wake up call), and we spent time lounging around my parents pool and eating take out. No clean up! Thanks to my sis Rachel for taking pictures. Much love to all of you :)

P.S. - My thoughts about my glorious mom last year on Mother's Day and the year before, too.